Should also mention the Ti tool e-switch sucks, erratic behavior until charged and very prone to pocket activation. Also harder to switch modes.
friendly exploration of pros and cons:
the TiTool electronic switch is flush and allows tailstanding. The Ti switch is almost silent, while the mechanical switch is quite loud. The TiTool has no half press mode, which I always get wrong on the mechanical switch, causing double mode switching.
The Tiswitch wont work on high mode unless its capacitor is charged, so storing it without a battery means a delay before High mode works. But its a capacitor, not a battery, so not really a part that will wear out. In practice, keeping a battery in the light, the switch works very reliably and has a nice positive click feedback feel and short travel.
I cannot work the tiTool switch w my thumb, I have to use the tip of my index because the target is smaller, and flush, so quite difficult to turn on my mistake imo. In the dark it is hard to tell which end of the tiTool is the switch, on the mechanical tool its obvious.
the TiTool is a much lighter package and has a keyring attachment that I really like, much more than the one on the mechanical Tool. Titanium weighs less but has no antimicrobial properties. On copper, germs die within 90 minutes, it is self sterilizing, but much heavier.
truth
I traded away my TiTool, and ordered another Copper Tool. The TiTool got hot enough for the brass ring at the head to be uncomfortable to touch after 5 minutes on high, the copper was more evenly warm all over, and no part was too hot. The TiTool stays cool at the tail and concentrates heat in the head.
for me at the moment, the Copper Tool w Nichia is currently the light that meets the largest number of my priority criteria in an AAA flashlight:
High CRI
No PWM
Pocket clip that works on a hat
Low mode near 1 lumen
Medium mode near 20 lumen
I like that the tool starts on Medium, it is my most used mode
I also like the ReyLight Tool that starts on Low, for nightstand use, so I dont have to go through medium.
If someone wanted a Tool today that started on Low, the only in stock option is the ReyLight TiTool (unless you PM me and want one of my ReyLight Coppers.. but it will cost you
)
Since Im a Nichia fan, for people wanting a Nichia option, though not AAA, of similar size, the Nitecore TipCRI deserves honorable mention. Not perfect, but has a Lot going for it. The Tip is wider than the Tool, but shorter and it weighs less. It wont run as long between charges, but its high is brighter. And the Tip has a built in mini usb charger.
size reference, Olight i3s and Tip
size reference AAA Maratac (same height as Olight), TiTool, CuTool, L11c (AA)
